Humanitarian Aid in Baidoa: Religious Leaders Speak Out

Introduction

Corruption, diversion and gatekeeping have been major preoccupations within the humanitarian sector in Somalia over the last 18 months. PeaceRep (Somalia) has been commenting on these developments in various collaborations, including with the Minority Rights Group in the New Humanitarian, the Centre on Armed Groups, and the Centre for Humanitarian Change (CHC).*

In our last blogpost with Peter Hailey of CHC, we emphasised that ‘technical ‘fixes’, while essential, are only part of the picture. Despite the progress made, significant challenges remain which are rooted in entrenched interests and incentives in Somalia – and within the aid sector more broadly.

In this blogpost, Abdirahman Edle, who is shortly to complete his PhD, comments on the competing moral and economic discourse in Baidoa around those getting rich from the aid economy. The interviews that he conducted for this blog, and the protests in Baidoa around ‘gatekeeping,’ took place in late November 2024. In reading this, it is important to acknowledge that, while Abdirahman is focused on the Baidoa urban reality and refers to the role of NGOs amongst others, his analysis points to the humanitarian system as a whole, including the role of UN agencies who fund a large number of NGOs.

— Nisar Majid

Aid and IDPs in Baidoa, Somalia

Baidoa, a rapidly expanding city in South West State, Somalia, hosts approximately 600,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). The majority of these individuals have been forced to migrate due to a combination of climate-induced factors such as recurrent droughts, failed agricultural production, and violent conflicts with the Al-Shabaab militant group. Al-Shabaab has been known to engage in continuous taxation sprees, child soldier recruitment, and forced marriages, further exacerbating displacement pressures in the region. The pull of humanitarian aid in Baidoa has turned the city into a central hub for displaced populations seeking safety and resources.

The influx of IDPs has led to the city’s unplanned expansion, transforming agricultural lands into congested settlements, which exacerbates food insecurity. The residents of Baidoa, both host communities and new migrants, primarily rely on food imports through Mogadishu’s port and humanitarian aid—often in the form of cash transfers—as their main source of livelihood. The city’s burgeoning aid economy has attracted not only those in need but also individuals looking to capitalize on the influx of humanitarian resources, including ‘gatekeepers’ who have gained prominence within the IDP camps.

The Emergence of Gatekeeping in Baidoa

Gatekeepers in Baidoa’s IDP camps have become influential figures, acting as intermediaries between displaced communities, aid agencies, and local authorities. These gatekeepers are often members of the local clans, either from the host community or the displaced population, and leverage their clan networks to mobilize support. According to an IDP member, “The gatekeeper is a member of our extended sub-clan who invited us into the city and provided the piece of land we settled on. He is our leader who seeks aid on our behalf.”[1]

Gatekeepers are known to secure parcels of land for incoming IDPs, sometimes owned, leased, or even purchased in collaboration with the displaced families. In return, the gatekeepers demand a commission from the aid received, justifying their cut as compensation for their efforts in securing resources and providing security. As one IDP noted, “We give a portion of our aid to the gatekeepers because, without them, we would not receive any support.[2]. This arrangement, however, has raised concerns about manipulation and exploitation within the humanitarian aid system.

Rapid Wealth Accumulation among Gatekeepers

The rise of gatekeepers in Baidoa over the past decade has led to the rapid accumulation of wealth among some individuals. Gatekeepers, who once lived modestly, are now known for their opulent lifestyles, marked by ownership of real estate, luxury vehicles, and multiple wives in polygamous marriages. A host community member observed, “The IDP gatekeepers are the latest tycoons of the city. They have amassed wealth in a short time, which has caught the attention of city residents.”[3]

The wealth amassed by gatekeepers has sparked debates within the community. Some view their earnings as deserved, while others see their behaviour as exploitative. The latter group argues that gatekeepers are profiting from the desperation of displaced people, who have little choice but to comply with their demands.

Religious Outcry against Exploitation

Baidoa’s mosque leaders have taken a strong stance against the practices of gatekeepers, condemning their manipulation of humanitarian aid. Leveraging their religious authority, the Imams have issued public statements and fatwas against what they consider illegal wealth accumulation from the suffering of the displaced. An Imam from the ‘Masaajidka Buundada’ (the bridge mosque) stated, “We have raised our voices against the growing trend of enrichment by gatekeepers. Enriching oneself from the poor condition of displaced people is haram in Islam.[4]

Religious leaders have used mosque pulpits to call out gatekeepers’ actions, warning that they will refuse to perform the Janaza prayers for those who continue to exploit the vulnerable. According to another mosque leader, “We will enforce a ban on Janaza prayers for those engaged in this practice unless they repent.[5] This religious decree underscores the moral gravity of the situation and reflects the community’s disapproval of the gatekeepers’ actions.

A Clash of Moral and Economic Interests

The religious condemnation of gatekeepers’ practices highlights a growing moral divide between those who view gatekeepers as essential actors playing a critical role in the distribution of aid, and those who view them as exploitative opportunists. The mosque leaders in Baidoa have been particularly vocal, but  moral outrage is not just a matter of religious ethics. It reflects a deeper discontent with the economic disparities and corruption that have emerged alongside the booming aid economy.

The economic benefits of the influx in aid appear skewed. A host community resident remarked, “The greatest beneficiaries of humanitarian aid in Baidoa are the NGO workers, local authorities, and gatekeepers. They all conspire to steal from the vulnerable, with little accountability.[6] This perception of corruption and collusion among key players in the aid sector fuels resentment among ordinary citizens, who feel sidelined in the allocation of resources. The tension between moral values and economic interests not only erodes social cohesion but also threatens the long-term sustainability of humanitarian efforts in the region. The interplay of these conflicting dynamics highlights the urgent need for more transparent aid distribution systems and greater community involvement in decision-making processes to ensure that humanitarian assistance truly benefits those in need, rather than lining the pockets of a select few.

Manipulation of Aid and the Rise of ‘Buush Bariis’

The significant influx of humanitarian aid into Baidoa has brought with it both opportunities and challenges, particularly regarding distribution. While aid is intended to alleviate the suffering of IDPs who have fled their homes due to conflict and climate-induced hardships, it has also inadvertently spurred a rise in exploitative practices.

An example of this is the creation of ghost settlements known as ‘Buush Bariis,’ or rice huts. These makeshift shelters are often constructed by members of the host community, sometimes in collaboration with influential gatekeepers, to be falsely registered as IDP households. By inflating the number of IDPs, these actors are able to divert aid resources to themselves, undermining the intended impact of humanitarian assistance. As one host community member observed, “Many non-deserving people have established these rice huts in collaboration with gatekeepers to siphon off aid meant for the truly vulnerable,”[7] underscoring the complex web of corruption that has taken root in Baidoa, where the lure of aid money has fostered a parallel economy driven by deceit and opportunism.

The practice of setting up ‘Buush Bariis’ not only highlights the ingenuity of the host community in navigating the aid landscape, but also reveals deeper issues of accountability and governance within Baidoa’s aid economy. The collaboration between gatekeepers and local residents to create these false settlements exemplifies the vulnerability of aid distribution mechanisms to manipulation. These gatekeepers, often well-connected individuals within the community, leverage their influence to register these ghost households, thus securing a share of the aid that was originally intended for the most destitute. This manipulation exacerbates existing inequalities and diverts much-needed resources away from genuinely needy IDPs, further entrenching poverty and marginalization among the displaced population.

The rise of ‘Buush Bariis’ settlements also has broader implications for the humanitarian sector in Baidoa. Aid agencies face increased challenges in ensuring that their resources reach the intended beneficiaries, leading to inefficiencies in aid delivery and diminished trust between donors, NGOs, and the affected communities. This situation is compounded by the difficulty in instituting stringent monitoring and accountability mechanisms amidst dishonest stakeholders, allowing such fraudulent practices to flourish.

Lack of Effective Governance and the Aid-Driven Economy

The absence of a stable government in Baidoa capable of providing consistent employment opportunities and public services has redirected the economic focus towards humanitarian aid as a primary means of survival. With the influx of aid meant for the large IDP population, a complex network of local and international actors—ranging from local authorities to NGO staff—has emerged to manage the distribution. However, this network is often driven by competing interests, which has inadvertently created an informal ‘aid economy.’ As one local resident noted, “Baidoa’s humanitarian aid is the lifeline of the city, but it’s also the source of its greatest corruption.[8] The competition for aid resources has led to a system where collaboration between local authorities, NGOs, and gatekeepers results in misappropriated funds, siphoned away from the intended beneficiaries. This mismanagement has further undermined the credibility of aid agencies and deepened the mistrust between the community and aid providers.

The gatekeepers, who lack formal employment, have become notorious for their reliance on commissions and aid manipulation to sustain their livelihoods. Their swift and highly visible accumulation of wealth has triggered a backlash, with resentment palpable among both the host community and IDPs. A host community member explained, “While everyone else struggles to get by, these gatekeepers live lavishly off the aid that was supposed to help those in need.” [9] This perception has not only fuelled tensions, but has also highlighted the need for stronger governance and accountability mechanisms to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches its rightful recipients. The reliance on aid as an economic driver has thus created a paradox: while it sustains many livelihoods, it also perpetuates inequality and fosters a culture of exploitation in the absence of effective government oversight.

Conclusion

The case of Baidoa highlights the complex interplay between humanitarian assistance, local power dynamics, and socio-economic inequalities. While gatekeepers play a crucial role in facilitating aid distribution, their practices raise significant ethical concerns, leading to condemnation from local religious leaders and rising resentment throughout the community. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes greater accountability, enhanced oversight of aid distribution, and engagement with local communities to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable without being siphoned off by intermediaries.

To move forward, there must be a concerted effort by humanitarian agencies, local authorities, and religious leaders to create a transparent aid management system. Strengthening governance structures and fostering community-led initiatives could pave the way for a more equitable distribution of resources, thereby reducing the opportunity for gatekeepers to exploit the system.


*Further Reading:

Fighting Corruption in Somalia: Continuing the Momentum, Building on the Technical ‘Fixes’

Time for Change: The Normalization of Corruption and Diversion in the Humanitarian Sector

Powerful networks impose taxes on aid in Somalia. It’s time for this to end

Endnotes:

[1] Interview with an IDP member in Kormari displacement camp, Baidoa, 11/11/2024

[2] Interview with an IDP member in Banjanaay displacement camp, Baidoa, 12/11/2024

[3] Interview with an Baidoa host community member, Baidoa, 11/11/2024

[4] Interview with the Imam of Masjidka Buundada Baidoa, 12/11/2024

[5] Interview with a mosque leader in Baidoa, 12/11/2024

[6] Interview with host community member in Baidoa, 11/11/2024

[7] Interview with host community member in Baidoa, 11/11/2024

[8] Interview with a journalist in Baidoa on 11/11/2024

[9] Interview with host community member in Baidoa, 11/11/2024

About the author:

Abdirahman Edle Ali is a doctoral student at the University of Nairobi’s Institute of Development Studies and the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Food and Resource Economics. He has experience as a development practitioner in participatory community development. His research focuses on migration, humanitarianism, and diaspora engagements, with publications in Security Dialogue (2022) and Journal of Refugee Studies (2023). Abdirahman also serves as a research consultant, collaborating with institutions such as Durham University, Wasafiri Consulting, Rift Valley Institute, Peace Research Institute Oslo, Life & Peace Institute, SWISS Peace, and Clingendael Institute.